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1.31.2009

A little over a week ago, my blogging friend, Lolli, hosted a Pay It Forward on her blog, and I played along. A few days after agreeing to participate, I got this in the mail:

Thanks, Lolli! I really love it!!

The necklace she sent me was handmade by her! She's so multi-talented! It's such a pretty necklace and something I can wear with ANYTHING!!

I love the idea of paying it forward. If you wondering what the deal is, read this:

Here is what Lolli had posted on her blog:

THE RULES: The focus of this is to do an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and "pay it forward." I will send a small, fun gift to the first 3 bloggers who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and then the game will continue!! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found, anything you want!! Just a gift that will make the person's day!! If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 bloggers to leave a comment!! You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link back to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog.

1.30.2009

I would like to be able to say the word "mo-fo" without any negative connotations. Don't worry, I know what it means. I'm just sayin' that I find the word funny. It makes me laugh or at least smile when I say it. I'm not walking around calling everyone a "mo-fo"...but I would like to. I wish "wat up mo-fo?" just meant "wat up dawg?" or something along those lines. Ok, moving on...

I refer to the urban dictionary frequently. I like to look up words that are fun to use. Like, did you know that "izzle" is a suffix that can be tacked onto the end of any word? Foshizzle!

My Christmas tree is "disassembled", but still standing in the corner. However, progress has been made. Just thought you might like to know.

I told Isaiah that it is custom to leave Christmas trees up until the last day of January. I realize this is only our custom. Traditions have to start somewhere, right?

Hot Topic Confession #1 - I went to Hot Topic to purchase some more Twilight trading cards. What? I didn't get an Edward in my first set! By the way, if anyone out there has an Edward, I would be willing to trade 2 Bellas and a Jasper...that's a pretty sweet deal.

Hot Topic Confession #2 - They were out of trading cards and I shamelessly pleaded with the cute goth sales girl to check in the back for any overlooked boxes of Twilight trading cards. She assured me that they were all out...she personally sold the last box...whatever.

Hot Topic Confession #3 - I had to find some other Twilight merchandise to purchase since I was already at Hot Topic (aka Twilight Merchandise Headquarters). So, I bought Twilight bracelets and some more pins for my bag. What? I was on Twilight overload! There was an Edward doll...I really wanted that Edward doll...maybe next week.

1.29.2009

I think I might have single-handedly caused this ice storm. You know how I am about confessing things. So, I only feel that it is right to fess up to what I have done. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I said to a man on a plane "Oh, I'm not ready for winter to be over. No sir, not me. I'm waiting on that one good winter storm! I LOVE it when everything is covered in white!" What the french toast was I saying? I know God listens to me, but I didn't realize I had so much pull.

Over the weekend, the talk really started about getting some freezing rain, sleet, possibly some snow. I was in denial, and was saying as any true Oklahoman would say "I'll believe it when I see it!" You must know that when weather men predict storms here in Oklahoma, it's only a guess really...and you don't take the predictions too seriously. They could say we're going to have a bright sunshiny day and end up with a tornado. On the other hand, they could say we're going to have an ice storm and end up with mid-40's and a gust of wind.You get the drift. There is something else you need to know about Oklahoma and things the weather men say. If a storm of some sort is predicted, especially a snow or ice storm, everyone flocks to the stores and buys every last loaf of bread and every last bottle of water.

I present to you exhibit A. Taken on Sunday at my local Wal-Mart.

Come Monday night, we were in a deep freeze with rain and sleet. It was forming a thick layer on everything. Isaiah kept wanting to go outside and play in the "snow". I told him it was not snow that it was ice. All he knew is that it was white and cold...and looked like more fun than a barrel of monkeys (apparently these are really fun?)! I said, "It's so cold out there. You'll freeze your hiney off!" He looked at me and said, "REALLY?" He, of course, believes everything I say and takes me literal. Poor kid. You know if that were true I would be standing out there stark naked to give myself the best chance (somewhere secluded of course, I wouldn't want to frighten small children and nosey neighbors). I digress.

The good news was that I got to stay home with Isaiah on Monday. We played with the Wii and the Star Wars bobble heads. It was super fun.

Although I was not enjoying the slick roads and Michael getting stuck away from home for 3 days, I can not deny that it was beautiful. Here's a tree in my backyard covered in ice. I'm cool with that as long as no large branches break off and crash on my roof. (Thank you Jesus that no large branches crash onto my roof or any nearby power lines. Amen.)

On Wednesday morning, my mom and I made our first attempt at driving to work. We live about 35 miles away from work. The roads were YUCK! Have no fear I was not driving while taking pictures. I was only a passenger taking pictures and saying things like "You're going too fast", "Do you see them stopping?", "How fast are you going?", "Shouldn't we drive a little slower?", "What was that?" Thank goodness my mom is used to my passenger seat driving. I was only trying to help.

We did eventually make it to work...only 35 minutes longer than usual. Below is a picture from outside my office building. I thought the field looked so cool covered in ice. I really wanted to run/walk through it and crunch all the ice covered grass, but I was trying to keep up professional appearances. However, I did do a few ice skating moves on my way to the door. Then I felt a slight twinge in my right hamstring and realized that I'm probably not as young as I once was. Plus, I was laughing hysterically every time I would slip and almost bite it...I have no idea why it was so funny, but it was hard to contain myself. I am really just a kid in an adult body.

So, here we are 3 days later and the white stuff is starting to annoy me. If anyone knows where the defrost button is, help a girl out.

I'm thankful for Melissa and what a wonderful friend she is. Her sister Michelle wrote a very touching blog about her today. To read it go HERE. (If you have a moment, go over and show Melissa some love on her blog.)

I'm thankful that the ice is finally starting to melt.

I'm thankful I got to stay at home with Isaiah on Tuesday!

I'm thankful that Michael finally made it home last night after being stuck out on the road for 3 days!

I'm thankful that my mom loves me enough that she came and got me this morning so I didn't have to un-thaw my car...thanks, Mom!

I'm thankful for the sunshine and warmer days ahead.

I'm thankful for this nice warm cup of coffee I'm sipping while sitting at my desk.

I'm thankful for the Internet...I know this sounds trivial, but I was just sitting here prior to writing these thankfuls and thinking about all the great things I can do from my computer...connect with friends, send a quick note via e-mail, read some FABULOUS blogs, send a friend some flowers, log my food for the day on SparkPeople, pay some bills, check the bank account...oh, and work OF COURSE...it's endless!

Go over to Michelle's Blog! I'm not being bossy, I'm just "directing". geez.

1.26.2009

This is a picture from Easter last year. I think you can definitely see the JOY on Isaiah's face...probably had something to do with chocolate bunnies, candy filled eggs, and yummy cupcakes that his Granny made him...you know, an artificial "high"! I love this picture. Hope you do too! ☺ Go check out more JOYful kids faces at I ♥ Faces! (www.iheartfaces.com )

1.25.2009

All of the following pictures were taken with my iPhone, so it lacks in quality, but great for spontaneity.

Below is a picture out of the window of the plane, on my way home last weekend. The water you see is the Arkansas River..."Thank you for flying Southwest!"Here is the Cullen Crest that Michelle gave me while I was in Denver. It now adorns my office window. One of the guys in my office asked me if I was 12..."uh, NO...but I wish I was sometimes." Then I went into a detailed explanation of why it is totally logical for a 31 year old woman (uh, did I just refer to myself as a "woman"...that just doesn't sound right) to love Twilight...and Edward. He might be 17, but he's been that way for 90 something years, so I think it's OK. Thanks for asking. Oh, and thank you to Michelle...I love it!

While making a daily stop at my local Starbucks, I noticed this picture up on the bulletin board. If you could see real close, the furry squirrel has it's little paws tightly around the coffee cup. Classic. I pictured Hammy from Over the Hedge...caffeine fix for the day, running around real fast...making crazy random comments. LOL (or LIMH).

Anybody got any chalk?

Wall art...gotta love it. Isaiah said he just had this picture in his head and he had to draw it, but he couldn't find any paper...so, the wall had to do. I guess it is more permanent. I don't think my Granny was wanting to go with a space ship theme in her bedroom though. Anybody up for a painting party?

Hope everyone is having a FABULOUS weekend!

Oh, and do me a favor...PLEASE☺(I'm totally not trying to be bossy...ok, maybe just a bit, but I really can't help it)...run on over to my friend Feather's blog and with her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

1.23.2009

I keep secrets. However, most of them eventually make it to confessions.

I didn't do confessions last Friday because I was in Denver...keeping a big secret. ☺

I type LOL when I'm really not LOLing. I mean, LOL is supposed to stand for laughing out loud, but yet I type it when I'm not really laughing out loud. Don't get me wrong, I'm usually laughing in my head or maybe a quiet snicker. Maybe I should type LAL (laughing a little) or LIMH (laughing in my head)? Not quite as catchy.

I talk too much. Have I said this one before? If so, bare with me. You know how most people will just type a line or two in comments, well not me...no sir...I type a book or at least a chapter of a book. I also send really long text messages and I never have a phone call with a friend shorter than 20 minutes. If there was a contest for talking, I would actually probably do really well...I would at least place.

I'm bossy. I find myself "directing" people A LOT. If I've bossed you around recently, I'm sorry.

I write blogs and never post them. They sound good as I'm typing them, but then I start thinking who in the world would want to read that? I find myself quite self-conscious in the blogging world.

When no one reads my blogs or comments on them, I feel like NO ONE loves me. (Y'all just remember that my therapist is on speed dial) For some insane reason it's like my blog is a personal reflection of me. SO, therefore, if people don't read my blog or comment on it, then they must not like me. There are days I feel like I have the plague or something...like I'm repelling people. I know. I have issues. I can't even believe I'm confessing this. It's totally embarrassing.

On the other hand, a whole bunch of comments on my blog can totally turn my day around. I'm not even kidding. I'm pathetic.

Have I told you that my Christmas tree is still up? Well, Michael told me not to tell ANYBODY (but I don't think that meant you guys). Don't worry, we don't turn the lights on or anything like that. He suggested that we could turn it into a Valentine's Day or Easter tree. I'm sure that was totally a joke. He actually said he thought about staging an intervention. What is it with me and people thinking they need to intervene? I do have a good excuse. I went to Denver last weekend, remember? If I had been home, I would have taken it down. Really. I swear.

See, aren't you glad you came and "sat a spell" and read my totally-pathetic-ridiculous-and-self-absorbed confessions? Feel better? I thought so.

1.20.2009

Saturday in Denver was a BLAST! It was so surreal to be there visiting with Melissa in person...just hanging out...too cool. Can you guess what we did on Saturday? Come on. Well, we went to Starbucks, of course. Then what? What do Melissa and I both hold near and dear to our heart...you know besides God, family, and friends? Did you guess?

TWILIGHT! DUH!

If you guessed Twilight, then give yourself a cookie! Melissa, Randy, and I went to see Twilight! It was our THIRD time. Well, except for Randy. ☺ I think he was surprised that it wasn't all girly. It was so funwatching the movie with Melissa (there I go with the whole "fun" thing again...I just can't help myself). Randy thought we were crazy for wanting to take a pic outside the theater...with our tickets in hand. He was a really good sport.

After the movie, we went on a drive in downtown Denver. It was BIG! Lots of enormous buildings and beautiful architecture. I wish I would have taken more pictures, but I got busy just taking in the sites.

In conversation, I had told Melissa that I had never tried sushi. So, after my tour of Denver we stopped by a local sushi place and I experienced sushi for the first time. YUMM-O! I ♥ sushi! (Thanks, Melissa!)

We also had saki for the first time too. I ♥ sushi, but saki not so much. It was still fun. ☺

Following sushi and saki, we went to Melissa's mom and dad's house for a SURPRISE birthday party. Michelle and Melissa's mom had planned a Twilight Surprise Party...how perfect is that?

Melissa, Edward, and I☺

Melissa's mom and dad...they are two of the nicest people.

Melissa's totally ROCKIN' Twilight Cake!

Happy Birthday, Melissa!

Hey, Melissa...could you have another birthday soon? That was too much fun to reserve for once a year! ☺

1.18.2009

FINALLY!Friday at 1:10 did not seem that it could come fast enough! That was when my flight left for Denver!

Let me just say that I have NEVER been to an airport as big as Denver, so I was totally impressed...so I took a picture.Michelle and Gabe (her way funny husband) came and picked me up from the airport. It was so surreal. I'm not sure if any of you have ever met someone that you have only known on the Internet before, but it's an odd (but in a good way) experience. I felt like I already knew them, yet I had never physically laid eyes on them. It was so much fun!

Friday night we met Melissa and her awesome family for dinner. To say I had butterflies in my stomach was an understatement. The place was packed and people were everywhere. I felt like in just a few short moments all eyes would be on the crazy people who were acting like they had never seen each other before, which would be me and Melissa...and which would be correct because we hadn't. I was right, but it was so much fun. If you want to see the video, go to Michelle or Melissa's page.

Randy, Melissa, and me @ dinnerMichelle!So, the surprise was definitely a success! She had no clue. It was too much fun. I think I've said the word "fun" a million times in the last two days.

Have I got something to tell you! Whew. I've never been more happy for a date to finally get here, well you know except for the day I gave birth or my wedding day or something like that. Do you know how hard it is to keep a secret about something you would normally be blogging about? Let me tell you, it's super-duper hard...like harder than saying no to Starbucks or staying out of Target for a week...hard. Here at JennyKate's Spot, I like to blog about daily life and when daily life gets exciting, well that's the best! Except when you can't tell! So, I know you want to know what the secret is, right?

A month or so ago, Michelle at Cubicle Confessions (Crazy Daisy's Sister) sent me a message asking me if I would like to come to her sister's SURPRISE birthday. OF COURSE I wanted to!! Michelle had also invited Lisa (Pumpkin Pink Cottage)! It was going to be quite the gathering and PARTY! (Due to some medical reasons Lisa can't come *insert pouty lip and sad face*) Melissa (Crazy Daisy) is one of my closest friends. She's the sweetest person EVER! I wanted nothing more than to go to her surprise birthday party! I live in Oklahoma. She lives in Colorado. So, were about 12 hours away from each other. I had to run it by my husband and see if logically I actually could go. Next thing you know I had a flight booked for Denver! Normally, I would be blogging about the trip and how excited I was to go. It would have probably made it on a Thursday Thankfuls list or possibly even a Friday Confession. There definitely would have been a countdown of some sort, and BY ALL MEANS, I would have talked to Melissa a hundred times about it! Not this time. It was a secret. I pride myself in being a pretty darn good secret-keeper and I didn't disappoint myself...not one slip...I don't think. I'm writing this on Wednesday and I won't be in Denver until Friday, so this will go on the "scheduled post" and will auto-post on Saturday. I'll be sure to let you know if it truly is a SURPRISE like Michelle and I hope it to be!!

1.15.2009

Thanks! I just wanted to get you over here so you could listen to the song playing on my playlist. Sneaky, I know. The song you're listening to, if you have your speakers tuned on (if you don't turn them on and turn them UP☺), is I'm Sorry by Consumed By Fire. I know you may be like who? Consume By Fire is a band out of Wagoner, OK. They are awesome (oh, and possibly related to me, but I'm totally NOT biased in any way)! I don't want to say anything else, you can just listen for yourself.

I haven't done a Thursday Thankfuls since December. Originally I had started doing them during November for Thanksgiving, but we should be thankful at all times, right? Here are just a few of the things I'm thankful for today:

my faith

my family

friends

especially friends who hold you accountable and help you be a better YOU

good books

fun television shows

crazy people who can't sing, but go on national television so the whole world gets to find out...love these people( i ♥ idol)

I don't even know what to call this blog post, that is how random it is going to be...you've been warned.

A little weekend review...

I did work on my HOT MESS, but it's not really back to an organized and clean state...just yet. I had a few road blocks over the weekend, like my washing machine being on the blitz. I was right on pace, starting a fresh load of laundry on Sunday morning. I had put all the dirty clothes into nice neat piles (at least something was nice and neat). Had it all planned out...a few loads of laundry before church, then finish it up when I got home while cleaning and organizing in the rest of the house. DIDN'T HAPPEN! I ended up spending two and half hours and an ungodly amount of quarters at the laundromat. Not my idea of fun. Isaiah thought is was fabulous. Wish I was 5 sometimes.

A current concern...

If you know me well, you know I can have some slight anxiety from time to time. I just start thinking about things TOO MUCH and freak out a little. So, as I'm scurrying out the door this morning, late again for the umpteenth time, I start thinking about Isaiah going to kindergarten next year. I have had the luxury of taking Isaiah to school at whatever time I get there. He goes to a private preschool and they are really flexible about time schedules. This morning as I'm driving Isaiah to school, it dawns on me that he'll go to kindergarten next year and they just might have a different outlook on being tardy to school. Could he get kicked out of kindergarten for being late everyday or every other day? I casually ask the director at preschool this morning, "So, you know...Isaiah will go to kindergarten next year...do they kick kids out for being "excessively" tardy?" She starts laughing at me. "No, Jen, that's one worry you can check off your list." (she knows me a little too well) I'm just double checking...he can't get kicked out right? However, I'm totally planning on correcting this little tardiness issue ASAP!

About my bathroom re-do...

Just so you know, I'm X'ing the vinyl photo shower curtain off the 'maybe list'...thanks, Christy for bringing it to my attention that it just really isn't that cute. See, sometimes it takes other people's opinions to bring things to light. Also, thanks Melissa for all your wonderful ideas and linkies. I'm either leaning toward the tree shower curtain from Urban Outfitters or the floral one from Pottery Barn. Thanks to Lori for the pics and ideas. I love your framed pieces...great idea!! I also love your shower curtain! It gave me an idea to stencil red birds onto the tree shower curtain...maybe...we'll see! I really appreciate all the ideas and feedback.

**pause my playlist before playing video**Since becoming the owner of an iPhone, I am slightly addicted to YouTube. I mean, I used to watch videos on YouTube before, but now they are so readily available...and entertaining and down right hilarious! I've seen several YouTube videos set to this song, but this is one that really cracks me up. Thought you might enjoy.

1.10.2009

I don't know about you, but I LOVE, like L-O-V-E love, a fresh clean bathroom. It is the first room that gets scrubbed down when I clean house. If you read my blog from yesterday, you know that I am ridding myself of a HOT MESS today...and the bathroom is the first thing to get done! Above all else, I have to have a clean bathroom. The counter may get a bit cluttered during the week from crazy-gotta-be-out-the-door-in-five-minute make-up ventures, and there may be toys on the floor by the tub; but at least in my mind, I know it was just scrubbed down and sanitized only a few days prior.

I think that the decor in your bathroom must stay fresh and clean for it to feel FRESH and CLEAN.

In December, as I was preparing for Christmas, I decided to hang a new shower curtain in my bathroom to help that fresh feeling and to give it a little change. It's a way cute shower curtain purchased from Kohl's. It has little snowmen and little birdies...cute. Now that Christmas is over, I don't want to take the shower curtain down. I just love the change so much. This leads me to a new project. I'm going to redo my bathroom. My inspiration comes from my winter shower curtain...those little red birdies just speak to me. I'm on the hunt for a cute/chic shower curtain w/ some sort of red bird motif (not a cardinal, nothing against the bird itself, but DH is a HUGE Cubs fan and Cubs fans do NOT like Cardinals...that wouldn't go over good). I'm also dreaming of putting a real tree branch in there on one of my walls w/ a like-real birds nest and some little red birdies, w/ some robin-egg-blue eggs in the nest. I want to bring a little of the outdoors in. Incorporating red and robins-egg-blue is essential to the redo.

I found two shower curtains at Urban Outfitters. I guess they could work, but I'm really hoping to find THE ONE...the perfect shower curtain...your shower curtain can be the mood setter for the bathroom, so I want it to be the right one.

I could use this one and find some cool snapshots of birds and nature...it could be cool, there's potential. I could also use this one...but there's no color...no red birds. I really want red birds. I ♥ red.

I bought some of these little red birds at Starbucks (go figure) when they marked them 75% off last week. Not sure what I'm going to do with them just yet, but they are sooooo cute! (Just the birds, not the deer...not that the deer isn't cute, just not for my bathroom).

I also saw this cool vinyl decal on Etsy. I like it too...a lot, but there again, no color. It could work though.

I guess the feel that I'm going for is a Pottery-Barn-Meets-Urban Outfitters kinda feel. So, if you have any ideas, send them my way. I'll be keeping you posted and up-to-date on any changes.

1.09.2009

Wow, have I been in a blog rut or what? These last few weeks have not been good for the blogger in me. I feel like I have nothing good to write about. Thank the Lord, life is slowing down a bit from all the hustle and bustle from the holidays and then Isaiah's birthday. However, I'm struggling with topics to blog about. So, you can imagine how thankful I was that it is Friday and I can fall back on something familiar...Friday Confessions...here goes...

My house is a "hot MESS" (I like using this term. Makes me feel a bit like Miss Niecy Nash from Clean House. "Who wants a clean house?" Don't you love that show?)!

EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT B

Note to self: GET A CLUE! When laudry basket overfloweth, doeth some laundry!

EXHIBIT C

This is what my kitchen table looks like. Sometimes I think I just want to do away with the kitchen table, so it won't be there to collect junk...then I'm sure we'd just find another place to be the "catch-all"...notice there's quite a conglomeration of things...water bottle, Christmas presents that still need to be put away, art supplies, FORTUNE COOKIES???

I'm starting to think that I make resolutions just to break them. They must fall in the rule category...you know the saying, "rules are meant to be broken." Well, so are resolutions...I've already broken a few.

I know some of you are really going to frown at me on this one, but I ♥ TV. Yeah, I really like watching TV and I have a tendency to be a couch potato on nights that my shows are on. All of the good shows are back on right now (Grey's, Private Practice, The Bachelor...can I get a woot woot?). This leaves me in quite a pickle, because my house is a wreck (reference back to the first confession) and I have things on my To-Do List that are not checked off...but MY SHOWS ARE BACK ON! What's a TV Junkie to do?...I DVR! Thank the Lord for DVR! Problem solved, right? Hang with me, the problem isn't completely solved. If I DVR, then I like to wake up and watch my shows in fast-forward before Isaiah wakes up. I know this could be useful time to clean house or read my bible or GET READY FOR WORK, but I don't do it...I watch DVR'd TV shows! Is this something I should seek professional help for? I think I just need to keep a therapist on speed-dial these days.

I haven't drank more than two glasses of water a day in months! Water is essential to being healthy, so why don't I drink it? I love water. Really. Scout's honor. Well, I was a Camp Fire Girl...so, Camp Fire Girl's honor.

My Christmas tree is still up. If you still have yours up, could you comment me and let me know...so I won't feel alone. Thanks.

1.05.2009

Five years ago today I was strapped down to a table feeling my body going numb and telling my anesthesiologist that I COULD NOT breath! He insisted that I was doing so or I would not have been able to KEEP telling him that I COULD NOT breath. So, I was over-exaggerating a bit...give a woman a break...I was having my belly cut open for the love of Pete!! Mind you, this was my first time in a hospital as a patient and I had NEVER been cut open before! However, I was in a state of calm. Even though a c-section was not in my birth plan, I was at peace. There was one thing I knew for sure and that was I wanted the baby that had been growing inside my belly for a complete 9 months OUT...and SOON!! Previous to being strapped to a table, my doctor told me that the baby had flipped since I had been in his office 5 days prior. He proceeded to tell me that I had 3 options...they could "manipulate" the baby...NO...they could send me home to wait it out...I DON'T THINK SO...or they could prep me for a c-section and we could celebrate a birthday!...I'll take door #3! That's how it happened. One episode of The Price's Right later and I was "giving birth" to an 8lb 5 oz little angel! He was one cute baby (I'm not biased or anything). I had never felt more complete in my entire life. I was a mom! I remember leaving the hospital 4 days later thinking, "They're just gonna let me leave with this baby? No instruction manual, or how-to-guide?" Even though I was 26 years old, for some reason at that moment I felt like a kid. There were some crazy moments...getting peed on, pooped on, spit up on...trying to breastfed...trying not to beat myself up when that didn't last long...figuring out formulas...sleepless nights...groggy days...but it was oh-so-worth it! Five years later, it feels like just yesterday. Where does 5 years go? I told Isaiah the other night that I couldn't believe he was going to be 5 and that I missed him being a baby...my baby. He told me, "Oh, momma that's OK...if you ever miss me being a baby, you can just look at my pictures...I was a really cute baby." The next day he informed me that he had to start taking showers because he is about to be a man! LOL...I'm glad we have a few years before that happens. I love him SO much...to the moon and back.